Vintage Jewelry Unleashed ~ Vol.2 ~ February 2006

Table of Contents:
New Items | Tips | Trends | Featured Designer

New Items at Vintage Jewelry Online.com

This month's newest collection stars some of our favorite designers including, Eisenberg, Miriam Haskell, DeMario and Eugene. And keeping up with the latest trends I've added some more metallics featuring gold accessories and sterling. To see them all in a group, click here.

The new featured highlights are found on the home page and include:

• a tremendous sterling vermeil large oval garnet pin #VE-00089
• a hard to find 1940's "TRIO-ETTES" Celluloid Vanity Compact #AV-00008
• a large mounded mobe' pearl pin by Robert #CS-00097
• a sparkling red & gold necklace & earrings set by Eugene #CS-00099
• Miriam Haskell green & white beaded 4 piece parure/hang tags #CS-00100
• An astonishing blue and turquoise broach by Eisenberg Original #CS-00102

Jewelry Tips

What is Happening to Gold?

Since last November, the demand for physical gold has been persistent and increasingly strong. Gold that was once easily available is getting harder to attain like gold bars, American Eagles, Maple Leafs, and even Krugerrands. This demand for physical gold hasn't existed since the 1970's. And did you know an incredible, estimated 75% of physical gold is made into gold jewelry?

Obviously, precious metals are in a bull market. Throughout 2005, precious metals out performed the major U.S. stock market indices. Gold rose 20% while silver increased by 39%. Most analysts and commodity buyers feel we're in the middle of what appears to be a long-term bull market for both gold and silver.

James Turk the author of the Freemarket Gold & Money Report is telling his readers in his most recent newsletters.

"I do not anticipate gold will again trade below $500 ever. In other words, gold prices in the $400's are history, just like gold prices in the $300's are history." He has predicted gold prices will hit $600 in the first quarter of 2006, and $900 before the end of the year. Richard Russell of Barron's Magazine has predicted a high of $1,000. While other analysts are more conservative, saying the top of the range will peak between the $600 - $700 mark, there is no denying gold is on the rise and will be for a long time.

Four Reasons to Invest in Gold --

1. Poor performing U.S. stocks - In 2005, the DOW Jones Industrials lost 0.3%, and NASDAQ was down 2.1%.
2. Better returns in precious metals -Since 2002, annual gold profits ranged from 13% to 25% while annual silver ranged from 12% to 39%. In 2005, the price of gold rose 20% and silver 39%.
3. Precious metals defeat inflation - Historically, when inflation is rising and stocks under-perform, gold and silver have increased and performed substantially.
4. Gold is a safe haven - gold traditionally provides a safety net for those holding their primary resources in U.S. dollars, bonds, or interest sensitive assets.

So now is the time to buy and invest in gold and sterling jewelry. Also, don?t forget to take your jewelry and have it re-appraised for insurance purposes.

Understanding Gold --

In the United States gold purity is stated by karat. Pure gold is 24k, but, because of its softness, it is not suitable for jewelry. Copper, silver, nickel, and zinc are added to make it stronger.

As an example, take the Civil War era white gold, garnet and diamond curb bracelet #FG-00030. The color of it is white gold and it tests 14k yet it has yellow and pink over tones. This means the gold was mixed with copper, silver and zinc to make yellow with a strong amount of copper for the pink-ish tinge. 14k means there is a guarantee the gold is 58.33% pure gold and 41.67% is a mix of the other metals.

European gold is stamped according to its fineness. Pure gold is 1000 fine; 18k gold is 75% or 750 fine. So, a 14k bracelet made in Europe would be stamped 583.

Some of our recent gold finds include:

• a Victorian 15k gold mesh bracelet with Etruscan influences #FG-00029
• a rare 18k lapis pietra dura pin with Etruscan influences #FG-00032
• a Civil War era white gold, garnet and diamond curb bracelet #FG-00030
• a 14k gold bead Edwardian necklace, chocker style #VE-00072
• a dramatic Deco 18k white gold Aquamarine ring #AG-00001

Jewelry & Fashion Trends -- "Mix and Match"

Gold & Silver are the best metallics. Yellow Gold is making a come back and we'll see a lot of it this spring. Stackable rings in white, gold and rose are just the things to mix and match for that individual style you covet. Try:

• 18k white gold filigree diamond Ring #AG-00003
• 14k rose gold oval aquamarine ruby and deco ring #FG-00023
• 14k yellow gold extraordinary amethyst cabochon ring #FG-00028
• sterling and Chrysoprase deco stylized bold ring #AS-00001

Bracelets that are oversized and stacked. And don't forget to mix textures and colors. Sounds perfect for that bakelite collection you are continuing to build. Take a look at these to help you get the look:

• 5 vintage multi-colored over-dyed bakelite bracelets #CB-00058
• wide thick carved dots deep orange red bakelite bracelet #CB-00053

Black is still here but now there is white and brown to mix and contrast. Both in clothes and jewels, you can't go wrong with the basic opposites of the color spectrum. Whether it's the look of glass from the Edwardian and Victorian periods or your bakelite and signed costume jewels, you'll always look dynamic when you use the basic building blocks. Check out the:

• Schiaparelli show piece black glass bracelet #CS-00066
• ceramic, celluloid and glass French necklace with purple, cream and black tones #CB-00039

Chains, Necklaces & Pendants are ever present for Spring... the longer the better and they can be of any material; sterling, gold, jet, or glass. If they can wrap around your neck twice, all the better. Pendants are big and chunky too! Everything is versatile, so don't be afraid to mix pearls with gold or sterling chains in a high fashioned layered look. Even add that special pendant ...it's a must......Check out the:

• 61" sterling Victorian filigree chain at #VE-00042
• 18" hand made crystal and rondel elegant necklace #CS-00067

February's Designer -- Miriam Haskell, Eugene and DeMario

While Miriam Haskell jewelry is probably the most well-known of the three, Eugene and DeMario all have a similar look and feel that is undeniably sexy. They are filled with texture and depth and are highly collectible and coveted.

Miriam Haskell began producing jewelry in 1924 and opened up a gift shop in NYC in 1926. From that point on her jewelry has been loved, collected and cherished. Her lead designers, Frank Hess, Robert Clark, Larry Virba and Peter Raines had distinctive styles and Hess's, Clark's and Virba's jewelry were and still are the most recognizable. She produced three lines a year, fall, spring and a holiday line. Her pieces were complex and sophisticated and completely hand strung using the best crystals, beads and faux pearls that have withstood the test of time.

Many of the early 1930's and 1940's pieces were unmarked yet can be identified by specific characteristics Cathy Gordan & Shelia Pamfiloff describe perfectly, including photographs in Miriam Haskell Jewelry, Cathy Gordon, Sheila Pamfiloff, Released July 2004, Schiffer Publishing. Becoming familiar with the materials, construction, different clasps, earrings backs, wiring methods, stringing and signatures can help you identify her unmarked pieces, which were produced up to the late 1940's.

It is often thought that Eugene and DeMario designed for Miriam Haskell but this is not true, according to Cathy and Shelia. Eugene and DeMario created items in a similar style but both produced jewelry under their own names. Eugene produced items from 1952-1962 and DeMario produced jewelry from 1945-1965. It is said that once Eugene died, his sample maker did move to the Haskell Company. The Haskell company changed ownership in 1990 and is still producing jewelry today.

There are many items available by Miriam Haskell, DeMario and Eugene at Vintagejewelryonline.com.

Best wishes,
Shelley